Education Manager of Pedagogy and Professional Development

The Education Manager of Pedagogy and Professional Development at San Antonio Zoo will develop and implement nature-based pedagogy, support teachers, enhance learning environments, and design professional development opportunities. Responsibilities include coaching staff, collaborating on curriculum, facilitating trainings, and ensuring compliance with educational standards. This position focuses on fostering children's connection with nature and requires active engagement in the zoo's educational programs, indicating it is not a remote job.
About the position

As an Education Manager - Pedagogy and Professional Development at the San Antonio Zoo, you will play a pivotal role in developing and supporting the implementation of nature-based pedagogy in collaboration with the Director of Will Smith Zoo School. This position is designed to serve as the primary professional development and curriculum support for the Will Smith Zoo School, working closely with the director to ensure that the educational programs align with the mission, vision, and values of both the San Antonio Zoo and the school. You will be responsible for coaching and providing pedagogical support to teachers, enhancing the learning environments, and fostering meaningful experiences with natural materials to deepen children's connection with the natural world. In your role, you will also design and develop professional development opportunities for staff, including training sessions, collaborative meetings, and ongoing education that reflects the unique culture and philosophy of the San Antonio Zoo and Will Smith Zoo School. You will facilitate trainings with outside providers, coordinate conference attendance, and develop systems for post-professional development follow-up. Your managerial responsibilities will include assessing staff performance, developing a workplace culture that embodies the mission and values of the organization, and collaborating with the director on various administrative tasks such as teacher recruitment and family engagement. The long-term goal of this position is to coordinate systems to market, schedule, register, and conduct professional development for educators throughout Texas and across the nation. You will be expected to maintain professional competencies by attending relevant conferences and meetings, ensuring that the educational programs are compliant with licensing requirements and best practices in environmental education.

Responsibilities
• Develop and support the implementation of nature-based pedagogy in collaboration with the Director.
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• Provide coaching and pedagogical support for all teachers.
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• Support the school learning environments by expanding, deepening, elevating, and documenting the ideas and theories of young children through materials, learning projects, and studio spaces.
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• Support teaching staff in developing meaningful experiences with natural materials and fostering children's connection with the natural world.
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• Consult and collaborate with teachers on design of indoor and outdoor learning environments.
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• Facilitate and share maintenance responsibility with teachers in the materials room and professional research library.
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• Provide teaching support in the classrooms when classroom teachers are unavailable.
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• Promote and model best practices in the classroom.
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• Document and evaluate the program with photographs, reflection forms, and narrative anecdotes.
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• Assure that each classroom operates within the guidelines and standards of all licensing and accrediting governing bodies.
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• Design and develop professional development opportunities for staff including training, collaborative meetings, and ongoing education.
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• Facilitate trainings with outside providers.
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• Coordinate conference attendance and presentations.
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• Instruct/facilitate trainings for all staff based on emergent needs and teachers' long-term goals.
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• Develop systems for post professional development follow-up with administration, staff, and resource professionals.
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• Maintain professional competencies by attending conferences, NEST Meetings, related meetings and management/education development opportunities.
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• Regularly assess staff performance and the department's progress in meeting short-term and long-range objectives.
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• Develop and maintain a workplace culture that embodies the mission, vision, and values of Will Smith Zoo School and San Antonio Zoo.
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• Collaborate with director on teacher recruitment, staff scheduling, teaching observations, quarterly reviews, and teacher support activities.
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• Support Director with school tours and enrollment guidance for interested families.
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• Work with colleges and universities interested in providing field experience of student teacher through WSZS.
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• Engage with the Director in bi-monthly meetings and communications related to Pedagogy.
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• Collaborate with Director on the licensing and accreditation standards, reporting, and inspection process.

Requirements
• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Science Education, Environmental Education, Natural Resources or related field.
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• At least three years of relevant experience in outdoor school, nature-based education, or environmental education.
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• Strong understanding of best practices in emergent curriculum, evaluation, and environmental education.
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• Demonstrated experience with adhering to budget.
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• Demonstrated experience in organization, decision-making, problem solving, and creating a collaborative environment.
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• Ability to handle multiple tasks with rigid deadlines.
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• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
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• Experience developing, promoting, implementing, and evaluating educational curriculum.
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• Excellent time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
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• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations.
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• Strong workshop and professional development facilitation skills.
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• Experience managing others.
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• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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• Ability to maintain the safety of participants, staff, and volunteers during program experiences.
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• Ability to train, inspire, and evaluate staff to engage program participants in conservation education activities.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience in outdoor/environmental education programs.
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• Familiarity with licensing and accreditation standards in education.

Benefits
• Full-time position with a salary of $50,000 per year.
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• Opportunities for professional development and training.
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• Engagement with a diverse community of educators and families.